Choctaw chief speaks to US Senators

Updated:
Wednesday, September 22, 2004 7:06 AM EDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The chief of the Choctaw Nation testified Tuesday before a US Senate committee.

Chief Gregory Pyle talked about Choctaws who served the US as code talkers during World War One. He says he hopes the invitation to speak was a sign the Choctaw code talkers will finally be recognized by Congress.

Tribal spokeswoman Judy Allen says Choctaws became the first code talkers when military leaders recruited them in 1917.

Nearly 430 Navajo code talkers received Congressional Medals of Honor in 2001 for their service during World War Two.

The Choctaw code talkers have been honored by the Choctaw Nation and by the French government.